England Counties side led 26 - 3 at half time; however the Irish made an exceptional come back in the second half putting on 22 points whilst the England Counties side remained constant, putting just another three points between the posts to remain on top.
The England Counties side was made up from 14 different sides and three leagues. Sam Ulph (Esher player and National 1 Top League kicker) played an integral part in this game ensuring that 90% of the kicks were made.
Frankie Neale remained humbled about his inspirational play and was quoted as saying:
"Wearing the red rose on your chest is a great honour. It's great to get three tries but I'd have been happy with one as long as we got the result."
Final score was 29 - 25.
The boys are due to play again on the 19th March when they take on France Amateurs the night preceeding the 6 Nations France v England game on Saturday 20th March.
England Counties XV: Frankie Neale (London Scottish); Sam Ulph (Esher), Jack Harrison (Tynedale), Seb Jewell (Esher), David Howells (London Scottish); James Brown (London Scottish), Luke Baldwin (Blackheath); John Williams (Tynedale), Joe Graham (Tynedale), Sam Heard (Redruth), Matt Owen (Macclesfield), Tom Bason (Blackheath, capt), Dan Legge (Cambridge), Darren Fox (Cambridge), Tom Powell (Cambridge). Replacements: Matt Riley (Sedgley Park, for Jewell 58), Matt Hall (Blaydon, for Graham 66), Tom Warren (Esher, for Heard 66), Steve Parsons (Harrogate, for Howells 66), Not used: Ben Harris (Huddersfield), Alex Nash (Rugby Lions), Tom Richardson (Stourbridge).
Scorers: Tries: Neale (3), Baldwin; Pen: Ulph; Cons: Ulph (3)
AIB Ireland Club XV: Daragh O'Shea (Clontarf RFC); John Cleary (Galwegians RFC), Eric Moloney (Dolphin RFC), Evan Ryan (Cork Constitution RC), Stephen Kelly (Shannon RFC); Barry Keeshan (Dolphin RFC), Sam Cronin (Dolphin RFC, capt), Martin Gately (Cork Constitution FC), Michael Essex (Shannon RFC), Simon Shawe (Ballymena RFC), Paul Huntly (Blackrock College RFC), Fergal Walsh (Shannon RFC), Richard Leyden (Old Belvedere RFC), Barry O'Mahony (Dolphin RFC), Frank Cogan (Cork Constitution FC). Replacements: Hugh Hogan (St. Mary's College RFC, for Cogan 61), Simon Crawford (Clontarf RFC, for Huntly 65), Aaron Dundon (Clontarf RFC, for O'Mahony 78). Not used: Christy Condon (Dolphin RFC), Cathal Sheridan (UL Bohemians RFC), Darragh Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College RFC), Sean Scanlon (University College Cork RFC).
Scorers: Tries: Kelly (2), Essex, Cleary; Pen: Keeshan; Con: Keeshan.
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
